Vol. 1 Cover

From South America to the Holy Land of Manga. Author Gin's Comment

"Since the serialization began in April until today, I've been able to keep going thanks to the support of Japanese readers. And today, the first collected volume of my life, 'Volume 1,' is released! Another big dream I had since I was in Uruguay has taken shape, and my heart is full. Please enjoy the story packed with Yuma's passionate drama!"

We are pleased to announce that the digital version of Volume 1 (Zerise COMICS) of the popular volleyball manga "5-Minute Ace" by Gin, a manga artist from Uruguay and a participating student in the "Global Tokiwaso Project," a manga study abroad program for foreigners operated by DEOW Inc. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Masateru Manabe; hereinafter DEOW), has been simultaneously released on various digital comic stores starting today, July 10, 2026 (Fri).

This work began serialization in April 2026 in the digital shonen manga magazine "comic zerise," published by Starts Publishing Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President: Fujiharu Sekine). It garnered significant attention from its first day of serialization as a historic first in our research, with a manga artist from Uruguay making their commercial manga debut in a Japanese commercial manga magazine. In response to the enthusiastic support from readers, the long-awaited first collected volume (digital edition) is finally released today.

An Unconventional New Era Volleyball Manga Showcasing a "Player Who Can Only Move for 5 Minutes"

"5-Minute Ace" is a sports drama with overwhelming passion and a time limit that overturns the conventions of traditional sports manga.

Synopsis: Yuma, a new student, appears at the trial practice of a weak volleyball club. His desired position is surprisingly... "the bench"!? Due to a heart condition, he has a major limitation: he can only exert his full effort on the court for "5 minutes."

In front of the bewildered club members, Yuma demonstrates extraordinary plays one after another. It turns out he was the strongest player who created legends in his junior high school days—.

A boy who shines brighter than anyone else within a limited time shatters the common sense of volleyball!

Bringing Global Talent to Japan. The Mission of the Global Tokiwaso Project

The "Global Tokiwaso Project" is DEOW's unique manga artist training program where aspiring manga artists from overseas live together in Japan and aim for a debut in Japanese commercial magazines through professional guidance and industry networking. The advancement of author Gin's "5-Minute Ace" from serialization to a collected volume is a significant testament to the fact that cross-border talent can sustainably work professionally in the Japanese manga industry. DEOW will continue to provide opportunities for challenges to "future masters" from around the world.

[Book Information]

Title: 5-Minute Ace Vol. 1

Author: Gin

Label: Zerise COMICS

Publisher: Starts Publishing

Release Date: July 10, 2026 (Available on various digital comic stores starting today)

Price: 770 yen (tax included) *May vary by store*

Work Details (on Novema!): https://novema.jp/comic/comic-zerise/book/n433#comic-book-1941

[Company Profile]

Company Name: DEOW Inc.

Representative: Masateru Manabe, President

Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo

Business Activities: Study abroad support, education, international human resource development

Program Official Website: https://jpn-study.com/global-tokiwaso-project/

FACT BOX

  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 商品リリース